Revolving-bottom dump-wagon



E. G. LEDYARD. REVOLVING BOTTOM DUMP WAGON. I APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1919- 1,386,263. PatentedAug. 2, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- INVENTOR. E 6LfD BY *4 ATTORNEYS.

E. G. LEDYARD. REVOLVING BOTTOM DUMP WAGON. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10. m9.

INVENTOR. E G ZEDYARD' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- INVENTOR. 5 6'. LEDYARD BY WWKYKQ.

A TTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES ELISHA G. LEDYARD, OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

REVOLVING-BOTTOM DUMP-WAGON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2, 1921.

Application filed September 10, 1919. Serial No. 322,775.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ELrsr-ra G. Lnnrann, a citizen of the United States. and a resident of Sioux Falls, in the county of Minnehaha and State of South Dakota, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Revolving- Bottom Dump-lVagons, of which the following is a full, clear. and exact description.

My invention relates to a combined dump wagon and trailer, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a dump wagon in which the bottom is arranged to revolve, thereby leavingthe load in a compact heap.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described in which a. revolving bottom is provided so that it may be revolved, if desired, or may be held stationary to act as a leveling device, as, for instance, in grading roads.

A further object of my invention is to provide a dump wagon having an end which swings away from the body portion, so as to permit the latter to pitch forward to dump the load.

A further object is to provide a dump wagon in which the end is positively locked to the body portion, but may be unlocked instantly to permit dumping, as occasion requires.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application. in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a side view, the dumping position/being shown by dotted lines,

Fig. 3 is a section along the line 8-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a section along the line 44 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a ratchet mechanism,

Fig. 7 is a side view of the ratchet mechanism shown in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a section through a portion of the bottom releasing mechanism,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of portion of a detachable tongue,

Fig. 10 is a detail view showing locking means for the front.

In carrying out my invention, I have provided a frame 1, consisting of parallel side portions connected by rounded end portions. This frame is preferably made of U shaped channel iron. Extending through the frame from side to side is an axle 2, upon the ends of which are loosely mounted the wheels 3. The body portion consists of two parallel sides 4 rigidly secured to an end portion 5, the upper part of the end portion 5 being provided with a strengthening flange 6. Secured to the outer faces of the side portions 4 are brace rods 7, whose upper ends are bent over the upper ends of the side members 4, as shown in Fig. 5, thus holding the parts firmly together. The axle 2 extends through the lower portions of the side members 4 and of the brace rods 7, the body being adapted to oscillate on the axle to dump a load in the manner hereinafter described.

The forward end of the dump wagon consists of a plate 8 which is preferably made of sheet metal, as is also the body of the dump wagon, and which is provided with side flanges 8, a top flange 8 and a bottom flange 8to strengthen the end. The end portion also has rearwardly extending side members 8 which overlap the sides 4 of the body portion when the load is being carried, the upper ends of the members 8 being bent over to form guide hooks 8. As will be seen from the drawings, the upper portion of the front is connected by links 9 t0 the body portion by means of pivot bolts 10 which pass through the braces 7 and through the sides 4 of the body portion. The front is provided on each side with small wheels or rollers 11 which normally rest on inclined track portions 12, carried by the frame 1, on each side of the wagon. Pivotally secured to the stub shafts, which bear the rollers 11, are rearwardly extending links 13. Each link 13 is pivotally attached at 14 to a link or arm 15 which is pivotally secured at 16 to the body portion and the brace bar 7. The construction just described permits the look ing of the front portion by dead centering the links 13 in the manner shown in Fig. 10. Vhen, however, the links 13 are thrown into dotted line position, shown in Fig. 10, the lower part of the front is free to swing away from the body portion.

The revolving bottom is best shown at 17 in Figs. 3 and 5. As will beseen from these figures, the axle 2 passes through the bottom. The latter is constructed of metal plates inclosing a wood filler, which construction renders the bottom strong and durable. As far as this invention is concerned, the bottom may be constructed differently from that shown without departing from the spirit thereof. The bottom is pivoted centrally so that'it may be revolved completely. It is held normally in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means of lower lugs 18 formed at the ends of springs 19, attached on the rear portion 5 of the body (see Fig. 4),these springs being fastened near their upper end. Similar springs 20, fastened to the rear portion 5,

have their lower ends bent inwardly, as

shown at 21 (see Fig. 3), to enter openings in the rear member 5, the edge of the bottom being held normally between the lower lugs 18 and the upper lugs 21. 'A fiat T bar 22 is pivotally mounted at23 in fianges 24, secured to the rear portion 5, and is provided with a finger loop or ring 25, the construction being such that when the T bar is pulled rearwardly, either by inserting the fingers in the loop 25 or by pulling on the chain 26 at tached to the loop, the T bar is brought into the position shown in Fig. 2, the lugs 21 of the spring members 20 being withdrawn so as to permit the bottom to revolvein a clockwise direction in Figs. 2 or 3. J

In the rear of the body portion is a cross brace 27 which prevents the body from pitching backwardly, and upon which is pivotally mounted a rock shaft 28, whose ends are bent =rearwardly as shown at 28, thence outwardly at 28", thence rearwardly and upwardly at 28 The extended end portions of the links 13 are adapted to rest on the portions 28, being kept from slipping off these portions by the upturned portion 28. The rock shaft 28 is provided with a handle 29, which, in this instance, consists of a portion of the shaft bent back upon itself. When the handle 29 is raised, the rock shaft is rota'ted, and its rearwardly extending arms willraise the rear ends of the links 13, thereby bringing them out of the dead centered position shown in full lines, in Fig. 10, to the dotted line position, and thus permitting the front to swing forwardly. A seat 30 is mounted on uprights 31 in convenient reach of the handle 29.

In order to bring the bottom to its normal position after a load has been dumped, I make use of a ratchet mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. This consists of a ratchet wheel 32 which is rigidly. secured to the axle 2 between the frame 1 and the body 4. An arm 33 is pivotally mounted on the axle 2 at one side of the ratchet wheel 32, and

to this arm is pivotally connected at 34 an operating rod or lever 35, whose end is adap ed to engage the teeth of the ratchet to turn the latter. Thearm 33 is bent and is provided with a stop pin 36. By working the rear end of the handle 35 upwardly and when the latter will spring in underneath the bottom so as to hold the bottom between the lower lugs 18 and the upper lugs 21.

At the front end of the frame is a transverse brace member 36 whose ends are extended to provide journals for caster wheels 37. This brace bar is U shaped in cross section, having portions cut away to straddle the frame 1. It is provided with three bolt holes 38 and with three recesses 39. At the forward end of the frame is secured a curved plate 40, L-shaped in cross section, and having portions cut away to provide sockets for three tongues 41. In Fig. 9, I have shown a portion f the bottom of a tongue having a bar 42 which is curved back upon itself at 43, and which is provided with a rearwardly extending portion, having a bolt hole 44 arranged to register with the bolt holes 38, the rear end of the tongue fittings in the recesses or sockets 39, and the curved portion 43 fitting underneath the upper flanged portion of the U shaped. channel iron 1 (see Figs. 1 and 2). This forms a means of rigidly securing each tongue in position, when bolts are inserted through the bolt holes 44, and 38, and it provides means for readily detaching the tongues when it is desired to do so.

For a two horse or a four horse hitch, one

tongue is used in the center. If it is desired to use a three horse hitch, the tongue can be instantly removed from the center socket to the socket on either side. If one horse is used, one tongue may be placed in each of the outside ton ue sockets. to provide the shafts for a one horse hitch.

The cross member or brace 27 at the rear is also provided with bolt holes 38, recesses 39 and a. curved plate 40, so that the tongues may be secured either to the rear or to the front, thus enabling the wagon to be dumped from the front or from the rear. 7 Fromthe foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood.

Normally when the wagon is loaded, the parts are in the full line position, shown in Fig. 2. The removablefront has its guide hooks 8 overhanging the upper front edge of the body portion, while the wheels 11 are on the inclined track portion 12. The front is held in this position because the links 13' are dead centered, as already explained. If

it is desired to dump the load, the operator raises the handle 29, thus throwing the links 13 out of dead center, thus releasing the lower end of the front and permltting the rollers 11 to roll down the inclined track. The front, by reason of the guide hooks 8 which engage the top edge of the body as the rollers move down the inclined track, causes the load to be o-verbalanced and to pitch forwardly. As the load begins to fall or dump, it pushes against the front, causing the front to move forward on the track 1. The upper portion of the front, being connected to the upper portion of the body by the links 9, causes the upper portion of the body to be drawn forwardly and the open end of the body downwardly, thus raising the rear end and throwing the entire load forward. As the load is dumped,

the operator pulls rearwardly on the chain 26 so as to swing the T bar 22 into position to withdraw the lugs 21. Now as the wagon is moved forwardly, the bottom will engage the load and will revolve. After the load has been cleared, the operator may bring the bottom into its normal position by manipulating the handle 35 and the rack 32 in the manner described. If it is desired to use the bottom as a leveling device or scraper, then the T bar 22 is left in position, so that the forward movement will cause the load to be leveled by the bottom.

I claim:

1. A dump wagon having a body portion, a bottom pivoted at its center, and means for normally holding the bottom rigidly in position with respect to the body portion, and capable of being withdrawn to permit the rotation of the bottom.

2. A dump wagon having a body portion, a bottom pivoted at its center, upper and lower spring-pressed lugs for normally holding the bottom rigidly with respect to the body, and means for withdrawing the lugs to permit the rotation of the bottom.

3. A dump wagon having a body portion, a. bottom pivoted at its center, upper and lower spring-pressed lugs for norma ly holding the bottom rigidly with respect to the body, said lower lugs having beveled surfaces arranged to be engaged by the bottom for forcing the lugs aside, and a lever for forcing the upper lugs out of engagement with the bottom, thereby permitting the rotation of the latter.

4. A dump wagon comprising a body portion, a movable end portion, links pivotally connecting the upper part of said end portion to said body portion, means for normally locking the lower part of the end to said body, said means comprising links pivoted to said lower part, and arms pivoted to said links and to said body, the pivot points of said links and said arms being arranged to be dead centered.

5. A dump wagon comprising a body portion, a movable end portion, links pivotally connecting the upper part of said end portion to said body portion, means for normally locking the lower part of the end to said body, said means comprising links pivoted to said movable end, arms pivoted to said links and to said body, the pivot points of said links and said arms being arranged to be dead centered, and means for engaging said links to bring the pivotal points out of dead center, thereby releasing the lower part of said movable end.

6. A dump wagon comprising an axle, a body mounted to tilt on said axle, a movable end, links connecting the upper part of said movable end with the body, and means for normally holding the lower part of said movable end to the body and adapted to be released to permit the said movable end to move, whereby the body portion is overbalanced and caused to tilt downwardly.

7. A dump wagon comprising a frame, an axle carried by the frame, wheels carried by the axle, a body mounted on the axle to tilt, a movable end, links pivotally connecting the upper part of said movable end with said body, links and arms pivotally connecting the lower part of said movable end with said body, said last named links and arms being movable with respect to one another to release the lower part of said movable end from the body, inclined track portions carried by said frame, and rollers carried by said movable end and arranged to rest normally on said inclined track portions when said movable end is locked to the body.

8. A dump wagon comprising a frame, an axle carried by the frame, wheels carried by the axle, a body mounted on the axle to tilt, a movable end, links pivotally connecting the upper part of said movable end with said body, links and arms pivotally connecting the lower part of said movable end with said body, said last named links and arms being movable with respect to one another to release the lower part of said movable end from the body, inclined track portions carried by said frame, rollers carried by said movable end and arranged to rest normally on said inclined track portions when said movable end is locked to the body, a bottom revolubly mounted on said axle, and means for normally holding the bottom rigidly with respect to the body.

9. A dump wagon comprising a frame, an axle carried thereby, wheels mounted on said axle, a body portion mounted to tilt on said axle, a movable end, links pivotally securing the upper part of said movable end to said body portion, links and arms adapted to lock the lower portion of said movable end to said body, and means adapted to en gage said links to move them relatively to said arms to release the lower part of the movable end, whereby the latter is permit ted to swing away from the body.

10. A dump wagon comprising a frame, an axle carried thereby, wheels mounted on said axle, a body portion mounted to tilt on.

said axle, a movable end, links pivotally securing the upper part of said movable end to said body portion, links and arms adapted to lock the lower portion of said movable end to said body, means adapted to engage said links to move them relatively to said arms to release the lower part of the movable end, wherebythe latter is permitted to swing away from thebody, a revoluble bottom carried by said axle, and means for normally holding said bottom rigidly with respect to said body. a

ll. A dump wagon oomprisinga frame,,

an axle carried thereby, wheels mounted on said axle, a body portion mounted to tilt on said axle, a movable end links pivotally securing the upper part of said movable end to said body portion, links and arms adapted t lock the lower portion of said movable end to said body, means adapted to engage said links to move them relatively to said lessee arms to release the, lower part of the movable end, whereby the latter is permitted to end to said body portion, links and arms adapted to look the lower portion of said movable end of said body, means adapted to engage said links to move them relatively to said arms to release the lower part of the movable 'end, whereby the latter is permittet to swing away from the body, a revoluble bottom carried by said axle, means for normally holding said bottom'rigidly with respect to said body, means -for releasing the bottom to permit it to revolve, and means for rotating said axle to bring the bottom [into its normal position.

' ELISHA G. LEDYARD. 

